Welcome to Just Outside DC — the local newsletter that’s like the Robin to your Batman (or maybe we’re Batman, up to you).

THE BIG IDEA

No, people aren’t actually fleeing Northern Virginia en masse right now.

The local rumor mill was churning HARD this past week.

Supposedly, the recent federal government layoffs are driving a tsunami of new listings onto the DC-area real estate market.

Naturally, natives and non-locals alike caught wind of this, and started to speculate. Check out this tweet that spread like wildfire last week, getting over 11 million impressions:

It makes sense when you think about it…

• You get fired from your cushy government job

• Can't afford to live in a HCOL area like NoVA anymore

• So you sell your house so you can move somewhere else.

Sounds simple enough. But the data doesn’t seem to be bearing this out.

Chief number cruncher (not her real title) at Bright LMS — Lisa Sturtevant — ran the numbers, and it turns out the so-called "listing tsunami" is more like a tiny drop of rain.

Between early and mid-February, there were 2,829 fresh listings in the DMV, which is virtually unchanged from last February's 2,820.

Sturtevant admitted some localized ripples are possible from workforce reductions and the return-to-office shuffle. But as of now? The doomsday prophets might want to put a lid on it.

Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation

One of our readers, Jessica, recommends you guys check out Bollywood Bistro at the Old Town Plaza in Fairfax. Like the name suggests, you can enjoy Bollywood iconography while indulging in some great Indian food. They also have a location in Great Falls!

QUICK HITS

• Speaking of Fairfax restaurants, Fairfax City Restaurant Week kicks off on Monday. Here’s the list of participating restaurants. I will be going to Big Buns — no that’s actually their name 🍔 

• Friend of the newsletter Shotted Specialty Coffee (Tysons Corner Center location) has complimentary coffee tonight to celebrate Saudi Founding Day. Also, half-off everything else on the menu if you show up in traditional clothes ☕️ 

•  L’Auberge Chez François (could you even pronounce that in your head?) in Great Falls is doing this high-end tasting event tomorrow. This place consistently gets voted as one of the most romantic restaurants in America BTW 💝 

• It is Girl Scout cookie season. Check out this tool that lets you plug in your ZIP code and find booths near you (lots of food-related stuff this week, eh?) 🍪 

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• Remodel + Garden Show | if you’re into home improvement or gardening at all, this place will be paradise for you. The show continues through the weekend at Dulles Expo Center 🪴 

• National Garage Racing Championships | concrete, chaos, and glory in this underground cycling showdown kicking off tomorrow in National Landing 🚵 

• Czech National Symphony Orchestra | performing at the Hylton Performing Arts Center this Sunday 🎻 

• District Beer Fest | the best curated beers from Washington DC, all under one roof tomorrow at Union Market 🍻 

• The Second City | come get some belly laughs with Chicago’s iconic improv group, all through this weekend at Wolf Trap 🎭️ 

• Del Ray Chili Cook-Off | compete or just enjoy some chili tomorrow. All proceeds go to in-need kids at Mount Vernon Community School 🌶️ 

• Comic Book & Sports Card Show | six-thousand square feet filled with comic books, Pokémon cards, and other collectibles this Sunday in Annandale 🦸 

• Narnia on Stage | The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe come alive in this theatre adaptation, playing at the Museum of Bible until April 🦁 

• That 70s Party | the premier seventies disco tribute, tomorrow night at the State Theatre in Falls Church 🕺 

• Till Death Do Us Part | a murder mystery show playing in Leesburg and Roundhill this weekend 🪓 

• Rock the Rink | enjoy ice skating, live music, and the Caps game tomorrow at the Wharf in DC 🏒 

• Winery Comedy Tour | the nation-wide comedy tour comes to Manassas tonight, the drinks are pretty good too! 🎙️ 

• Art After Hours | view the new exhibitions and meet the artists tomorrow at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington 🎨 

• Frog Frenzy | see and hear the Wood Frogs of Potomac Overlook Regional Park tomorrow afternoon (ages 7+) 🐸 

Thanks so much for reading today’s issue of Just Outside D.C.

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